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This pretty edging is worked sideways in small sections
and that means that you
can determine the finished length as you go along!
Although it has other uses, as well, it's a
wonderful edging to use as a trim on clothing. Add it to the
neckline of a V-neck top, sew to the ends of sleeves or to
a hemline, just to name a few.

This is based on an edging that was created by the early 1900's crochet
designer, Sophie T. La Croix. She didn't name the edging
but just assigned it a number so I gave it the name Shell Path.
My version is slightly different. I rewrote
the entire directions to be in today's crochet terms. You can see the
early 1900's directions at the end of the pattern, if you would
like to compare the two.

My Rewritten Directions:In this pattern, a shell = (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) worked in one stitch.
Abbreviations:ch = chain
dc = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
Materials: Use size thread of your choice. Just to
give an idea of finished width, the sample is made with
size 10 thread and a US size 8 steel hook and is about 1 inch wide.
If making it for an afghan edging, use yarn of same weight as
you used to crochet the afghan. Just to give an idea of finished width,
this edging made with worsted weight yarn, using a US size H hook,
is about 3 1/4 inches wide.
Starting Chain: Chain 12.
Row 1: Skip 7 chains. (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch,
ch 3. (There are three chains left unworked that you will be
using at the end of row 3.) Turn.
Row 2: (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in ch-3 space (in center of shell),
skip next row below,
dc in next chain space (at the edge of the row), ch 4. Turn.
Row 3: (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in ch-3 space (in center of shell),
ch 1, (dc, ch 1) 8 times in ch-3 space (at edge of the row),
sl st in end of chain-3 that was left from the beginning chain.
Row 4: Ch 3, skip ch-1, skip dc, (sl st in next ch-1 space,
ch 3) 7 times.
Row 5: (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in ch-3 space (in center of shell),
dc in next chain space (at the edge of the row), ch 4. Turn.
Row 6: (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in ch-3 space (in center of shell), ch 4.
Turn.
Row 7: (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in ch-3 space (in center of shell),
dc in next chain space (at the edge of the row), ch 4. Turn.
Row 8: (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in ch-3 space (in center of shell),
ch 1, (dc, ch 1) 8 times in ch-3 space (at edge of the row), skip the next two rows,
sl st in chain-3 space (at edge of next row).
Row 9: Ch 3, skip ch-1, skip dc, (sl st in next ch-1 space,
ch 3) 7 times.
Repeat: Repeat rows 5 - 9, consecutively, until you have reached
length desired.
On Last Repeat: On last repeat of row 9, do not do the last
chain 3. End off.

Following are Sophie's directions, exactly as written in the book Old
and New Designs in Crochet Work, Vol. 2 (no date of publication
in the book but definitely early 1900's.
Vol. 1 was published in the year 1913). In those days, crocheters
were often expected to "just know" what to do without the directions
being fully spelled out. For this pattern, there were no other instructions
beyond those for four rows, as given below. Try crocheting the edging, using
the early 1900's directions below, if you'd like, just to see the difference
between then and now.

You may print out these images and instructions for your
own personal use only.
My rewritten instructions copyright 2001 by Sandi Marshall.
Free
for your own personal use only. If others would like to have the
pattern, do not give them reproduced copies or scans (which,
as with all free or purchased copyrighted patterns, without the
designer's written permission, would be a
copyright violation, even when given free), but instead,
please give them the URL of this page, so that they may
come here for themselves. Thank you.
Copyright Myths Explained, U.S. Government Copyright Office -
http://www.copyright.gov

Old
and New Designs in Crochet Work, Vol. 2 had no date of publication
in the book but definitely early 1900's.
(Vol. 1 was published in the year 1913 and Sophie T. La Croix
published 16 volumes.) This places the book as old
enough to now be in the public domain.
How Long Does Copyright Last?Note: Just FYI, a person can't rewrite another designer's pattern
that's currently under copyright protection and then claim any copyright
to his/her rewritten directions. When an
antique (first published in the USA in the year 1923 or earlier) pattern has fallen into the public domain, then new copyright may be applied to variations created of
those public domain patterns. Take special notice: That only applies to public domain patterns.

URL of this page is
http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa031001.htm